A roller-coaster first inning paved the way for Janesville Craig High’s softball victory Wednesday.

The Cougars plated a pair of runs on two hits despite striking out four times in the inning.

Freshman starting pitcher Jenna Brandt went to work from there, striking out eight batters in a 3-2 victory over Madison Memorial in a Big Eight Conference game.

“Jenna pitched a great game, and our defense played well,” Craig coach Dan Bayreuther said. “We just can’t string together hits. Hitting is contagious, and right now that’s what we need to work on.”

The Cougars (4-3, 3-2 Big Eigtht) only needed two of them to build a lead before they even took the field, defensively.

With one out, Gabby Loveland singled and then advanced to third on junior Sydney Cramer’s double. Memorial starter Annie Youngwood struck out the next batter, but the ball got away from the catcher to help Craig load the bases.

Senior Kayley Hackett was hit by a pitch to bring home a run, and Cramer then scored on a passed ball.

“It might be the first time a team has ever scored twice with just two hits and four strikeouts in an inning,” Bayreuther joked.

Brandt went the distance, allowing seven hits and just one walk.

Loveland and Cramer finished with two hits apiece, and junior Cara Lemirande went 2-for-3 with a double.